MUSCAT WINES OF ROMANIA
Archaeological finds, historical documents and ancient literature place the beginnings of wine production in Romania to around 4000 years ago. High quality wines produced in this region were important objects of trade since ancient times. Currently (2020) Romania is one of the world’s largest wine producers and ranks fifth largest among European wine producing countries.
Muscat grapes grown in Romania
Romanian wine producers grow several varieties of Muscat grapes but the most ancient and the most venerable is a grape called Tamâioasa Românească. Tămâioasă Românească has a 2000 year history in Romania and is considered to be a native grape. The grape is thought to have originated in southern Greece and is said to belong to the Muscat family of grapes. One of its most common synonyms is Romanian Muskatel. The Romanian name of the grape comes from the Latin word “thymanea”, which translates as “incense”, due to its aromatic character.
Tămâioasă Românească is one of the most popular local aromatic varieties from which are made both sweet wines with very good ageing potential as well as young and fresh wines with exotic fruit aromas. The golden-yellow wine produced from these grapes has a pronounced honey-like flowery bouquet and flavors of honeycomb, lime, acacia flower, white roses, basil and incense. Currently some of the modern vintners are using Tămâioasa Românească to make flavorful dry wines. (2020 information)
Main Synonyms of Tamâioasa Românească
Romanian Muskatel, Busuioacă Albă, Busuioacă de Moldova, Beala Tamianka, Belai Muscatnai, Muscat Belai, Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains, Muskateller, Sarga Muskotally Barzsing, Tămâioasă, Tămâioasă Albă de Drăgăşani.
Other Muscat grapes grown in Romania include:
Muscat de Hamburg
Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Perla de Csaba (table/wine grape)
Muscat Timpuriu de Bucuresti (table grape)
ROMANIAN MUSCAT WINES
Romania Dealu Mare region
Budureasca Winery
Premium Tamaioasa Romaneasca 2018
Tamaioasa Romaneasca grape
Off-dry white wine
Aroma: apple blossom, mango, rose oil. Palate: pineapple, orchard fruit, elderflower. (2020 information)
Awards
International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2019: Silver
Decanter World Wine Awards, 2016: Bronze
International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2016: Silver
International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2015: Bronze
Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2015: Bronze
Romania Muntenia si Oltenia Region
Casa de Vinuri Ștefănești Winery
Marcea Reserve Tamaioasa Romaneasca(2017)
Tămâioasă Românească grape
Dry white wine
Aroma: terpenic and intense muscat. Palate: floral, honey, incense, vanilla, exotic fruit. (2020 information)
Romania Dealu Mare region
Castellum Dracula Winery
Tamaioasa Romaneasca 2015
Dry white wine
Color: Pale yellow. Aroma: exotic fruit flavors of ripe papaya. Palate: intense flavors, ripe papaya, robust structure, balanced acidity. (2020 information)
Colocviu Winery
La Praga Tămâioasă Românească NV
Sparkling wine extra dry wine. Champenoise method
Color: pale yellow. Aroma: pear, rose petals, ripe grapes, citrus. Palate: pleasant acidity, minerality, lemons, yellow apples, honey. (2020 information)
Romania Dealurile Moldovei
Cotnari Winery
Domenii Tămâioasă Românească 2017
Semi-dry wine
Tămâioasa Românească grape
Aroma: honey, pears, yellow melon. Palate: velvet, good acidity (2020 information)
Romania Dealurile Moldovei
Cotnari Winery
Tamaioasa Romaneasca Cotnari DOC
Color: pale straw. Aroma: hay, floral, honey, peach citrus. Palate: medium sweet, stone fruit, pear, honey, citrus, long finish with hints of white spices. (2020 information)
Romania Dealurile Moldovei
Cotnari Winery
Vin Alb Dulce Tamaioasa Romaneasca 2012
White light bodies off dry dessert wine
Tamaioasa Romaneasca grape
Palate: soft tree fruit flavors, honey, soft finish. (2020 information)
Crama Oprisor Winery
Oprisor la Cetate Tamaioasa Romaneasca 2017
100% Tamaioasa Romaneasca grapes
Aromatic floral white wine
Color: greenish yellow. Aroma: fruity notes, pineapple, mango citrus, floral notes, acacia, linden honey. Palate: good structure and balance, silky tannins, floral notes. (2020 information)
Romania Dealu Mare region
Săhăteni Winery (Aurelia Visinescu)
Artisan series
Artisan Tamaioasa Romaneasca Dry 2018
Dry white wine
Color: Pale lemon. Aroma: intense flavours of elderflower, peaches, ripe pears. Palate: range of tastes from incense to pink grapefruit (2020 information from the winery)
Romania Dealu Mare region
Domeniile Săhăteni Winery (Aurelia Visinescu)
Artisan series
Artisan Tamaioasa Romaneasca Sweet 2018
Sweet white wine.
“This is the only one Domeniile Sahateni’s dessert wine, made from late-harvest grapes only in the favourable years of sugar accumulation.”
Color: pale lemon. Aroma: elderflower, basil, tropical fruits. Palate : honey, rich, balanced, good acidity. (2020 information from the winery)
Romania Tarnave Region
Jidvei Winery
Dry Muscat
Semi dry wine
Muscat Blanc grape
Color: bright white gold. Aroma: sweet peaches, apricot, honey, elderberry, lemon. white petals. Palate: honey, floral, elderberry. (2020 information)
Romania Muntenia si Oltenia
Licorna Winery
Tămâioasă Românească 2016
Sweet white dessert wine
Aroma: tree resin, incense, vanilla, basil, ripe pears. Palate: honey, elder flowers, dry yellow fruits. Long finish. (2020 information)
Romania Murfatlar Region
Murfatlar Winery
Muscat Ottonel
Semi-sweet wine
Muscat Ottonel grape
Color: young, golden yellow wine .Aroma: delicate floral scent. (2020 information)
Romania Murfatlar Region
Murfatlar Winery
Muscat Ottonel Demidulce 2011
Semi-sweet wine
100% Muscat Ottonel grape
Color: golden, good clarity, light viscosity. Aroma: golden raisins, peach nectar, delicate floral scent. Palate: Full flavor. Finish is sweet and warm. (2020 information)
Awards
Berliner Wine Trophy gold medal 2012
Romania Murfatlar Region
Murfatlar Winery
Zestrea Demidulce Muskat Ottonel 2011
Semi-dry wine
Muscat Ottonel grape
Aroma: citrus, apricot, fruity. Palate: cherry and peach, zippy acidity, finish nearly dry. (2020 information)
Awards
Berliner Wine Trophy gold medal 2012
Romani Dealu Mare region
Princiar Winery
Tamaioasa Romaneasca
Sweet white wine
Romania Dragasani Region
Stirbey Winery (Agricola Stirbey)
Tamaioasa Romaneasca Dulce
Tamaioasa Romaneasca grape
Late harvest semisweet wine
Aroma: floral spice bouquet Palate: ripened fruits (2020 information from the winery)
Romania Dragasani Region
Stirbey Winery (Agricola Stirbey)
Tamaioasa Romaneasca Sec
Tamaioasa Romaneasca grape
Dry white wine
Aroma: floral spice Palate: fresh acidity (2020 information)
Awards
International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2011: Bronze
International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2008: Silver (Best In Class)
Romania Dealu Mare region
Transsylvania Wine
Principe Dracula Tamaioasa Romaneasca (2015, 2017)
Dessert wine
100% Tamaioasa Romaneasca grapes
Made from late harvest grapes only in the favorable years of sugar accumulation and noble rot.
Color: bright yellow. Aroma: Intense. Roses, basil, yellow melon. Palate: honey sweetness, rich, good acidity. (2020 information)